ACCBasketballHiring

Hubert Davis has been named head coach at North Carolina

North Carolina assistant coach (and alum) Hubert Davis has been named the new head coach of the Tar Heels, the school announced on Monday. It was expected that UNC would choose someone from “within the family” and Davis, who has been on Roy Williams‘ staff since 2012, was the name that quickly moved to the forefront.

Hubert Davis is the best leader we can possibly have for our men’s basketball program,” AD Bubba Cunningham said in a release. “He teaches student-athletes on and off the court. He inspires his fellow staff members. He is strongly committed to family. He has a tenacious, burning desire to be the best he can possibly be; we witnessed that when he was a player, a broadcaster and an assistant coach – and I have no doubt he will ensure than our student-athletes and program will be the best they can be, as well.”

Davis played for Dean Smith and the Tar Heels from 1988-92, getting to the 1991 Final Four and earning All-ACC honors a senior in 1992 before he was drafted 20th overall by the Knicks. He played for 12 years in the NBA and in 2008 began working as a college basketball analyst on ESPN, primarily as a co-host on College GameDay. After four years, he returned to his alma mater to be on Williams’ staff. He was part of seven NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2017 National Championship and the Runner-up finish in 2016.

“I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this program,” Davis said. “I would not be here without Coach Dean Smith, Coach Bill Guthridge and Coach Roy Williams; they taught me so much – and I’m eager to walk their path in my shoes and with my personality. I love this University. I played here, I earned my degree here, I fell in love with my wife here, I got married here, I moved here after I retired from the NBA and I have raised my family here. I am proud to lead this team, and I can’t wait for all that comes next.”

The program posted a video message from Davis on Monday afternoon, making the hire official. Davis makes history as the first African-American head coach in UNC men’s basketball history.

 

credit to Getty Images for the photo